Another year has flown by and we are always left with this overwhelming feeling of contemplation. Reflection, regret and resolutions seem to dominate our consciousness during this time of year. However, when it comes to beauty purchases, reflection can be helpful, regret is useless and I solemnly swear to be a resolute consumer of all beauty items that make me smile 🙂 I hope you enjoy my Top Beauty Items of 2013.

Top Original Set:

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you 2013 was a stellar year for makeup and I look forward to the many more cosmetics goodies in 2014. What are some of your favorite products from this past year? In the meanwhile, I would like to wish each and everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Be well and stay safe.

-Maria

Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com is not affiliated with any brands mentioned, all products were purchased by me. *Compensation is not given for any reviews. *Click on each photo to enlarge. *Click on the rose highlighted words to take you to a direct link to each product. *All opinions are my own and based on my experiences. *All photos are property of Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com unless otherwise noted.

If you are a makeup enthusiast, chances are you frequent YouTube regularly and have stumbled across the British “Honest Abe” of the makeup industry, Wayne Goss. What sets Wayne apart from other YouTube personalities, is his uncanny ability to review a product thoroughly, respectfully, ethically, and eloquently. His charming little wink at the end of all his videos, only adds to his allure. A true rarity on YouTube!!! After many years of Youtube-ing, doing tutorials, giving advice and finding the right manufacturer to produce his brushes, Wayne has finally debuted his brushes on Beautylish.com (sold out immediately on initial release). Therefore, I will try to emulate Wayne’s style and integrity when reviewing the Wayne Goss Brush 02 ($35 US) for you today. “Wink”…get it…just like Wayne.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 packaging and note from Beautylish.com. Great customer service and care.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 packaging and note from Beautylish.com.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 Composition:

Beautylish.com states all of Wayne Goss’s brushes are 100% cruelty-free. The details of the origin of the hairs is nowhere to be found on the website. According to Sonia from SweetMakeupTemptation the hairs of the Wayne Goss Brush 02 are composed of blue squirrel. The softness and quality of this puppy is exceptional. The hairs of the Wayne Goss Brush 02 are “uncut”, meaning, you will never have brush hairs pricking your face during usage. When companies “cut” natural hairs during assembly, they are essentially creating a blunt jagged point. The results are rough and unrefined, similar to the feel of grown-in shaven hair.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 is lightweight and perfectly balanced for such a small brush. The hairs on this brush are densely packed closest to the ferrule and gradually loosen toward the tip. This substantial design allows powder products to be picked up easily and buffed into the skin flawlessly; unlike my RMK brush which is too soft and floppy to deposit sufficient color.

RMK Cheek Brush vs. Wyane Goss Brush 02

Applied heavy pressure to demonstrate the density of the Wayne Goss Brush 02

Applied barely any pressure to demonstrate the lack of density in RMK Cheek Brush.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 Uses:

The tapered shape and density of the hairs earns this brush the title, “Jack-Of-All-Trades.” The most obvious use for Brush 02 is highlighter application. I also use this brush to apply Nars Light Reflecting Powder under my eyes and on my T-zone. Blush application can easily be achieved by gently pressing the brush on your cheeks to splay the hairs, then use buffing motions to blend out the color. All over bronzer application is a little more time-consuming, but not impossible, due to the size of this brush. I prefer a large fluffy brush for this purpose. However, this little guy is brilliant for applying a contour color to the hollows of the cheekbones.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 Manufacturing:

All of Wayne Goss Brushes are handmade in Japan and manufactured in fixed number of batches. If you visit Beautylish.com and discover the brushes are sold out, you now know why. I missed out on the initial release date and had to wait a month before I was able to order Brush 02. Wayne Goss offers his enter 8 piece collection for a very reasonable $210 US; unheard of for Japanese handmade makeup brushes. However, if you are a brush collector, professional makeup artist, or just getting into makeup and want quality over quantity, then the Wayne Goss Brush Collection is a fantastic value for the quality.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 used to contour, apply bronzer, blush and setting powder under the eyes. Not bad!!

The Wayne Goss Brush 02 has been in my possession for two weeks and it has performed all the tasks indicated above, beautifully. During this time, I have washed Brush 02 twice and can happily report not one hair has shed or dye has run from this brush.

My only criticism is that the silver paint on the lettering has already rubbed off. I feel as if an extra protective coating was needed. Seeing the glass ¾ full, the name Wayne Goss and the number 02 are imprinted into the wood, therefore I will still be able to see the name and number after all the silver paint is gone.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 silver paint rubbed off.

Wayne Goss Brush 02 used to contour, apply bronzer, blush and setting powder under the eyes.

The entire Wayne Goss Brush Collection can be found exclusively at Beautylish.com.

All powder products applied with the Wayne Goss Brush 02. Very impressive!

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you the Wayne Goss Brush 02 is an absolutely lovely brush. If you are on a budget and are looking for the ultimate multipurpose brush, then Brush 02 is your guy. Better yet, the entire Wayne Goss Collection would make a thoughtful gift for the makeup connoisseur in your life. If they are sold out, which they are, another alternative would be a gift card to Beautylish.com (I swear, I am not affiliated with them whatsoever) so your intended could order them when they restock…Kudos to Wayne for a job well done and to Beautylish for such outstanding customer service. Be well and stay safe.

-Maria

**UPDATE: As of December 5, 2013 (9:30 am New York time) the collection is back in stock. Happy Shopping!!!

Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com is not affiliated with any brands mentioned, all products were purchased by me. Compensation is not given for any reviews. Click on each photo to enlarge. *Click on the rose highlighted words to take you to a direct link to each product. *All photos are property of Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com unless otherwise noted.

This Makeup of the Week: Sixth Edition will feature all the lovely goodies I acquired last week from my visit to the CCO. For those of you who are unfamiliar with a CCO (Cosmetics Company Outlet), it is an outlet store the Estee Lauder Company has cleverly established to sell all of their overstock merchandise from their subsidiary brands. All cosmetics/fragrance brands included are: Estee Lauder, MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Joe Malone, Flirt, Smashbox, Bumble and Bumble, Origins, Donna Karen, Tom Ford, Ojon, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and Prescriptives. All items in store are sold at a 30% discount off the original retail price. As an added bonus, the sales women are lovely and customers have the comfort/freedom to swatch and roam for as long as one desires. Who could ask for more?

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you to locate your nearest Tangers Outlet Mall (location finder here) and visit a CCO pronto! Plan a trip for the day with your family/friends and roam all the stores to your heart’s content. CCO are fantastic for discovering some limited-edition jewels that were hard to obtain during the original release. I have yet to spy any TF brushes..Darn! Do call ahead of time to check inventory before making a trip. I hope you find this helpful and informative. Be well and stay safe.

-M-

*Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com is not affiliated with any brands mentioned, all products were purchased by me. Compensation is not given for any reviews. *All photos are property of Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com.

Tom Ford does many things well, his talent is evident in the details. The mix of masculine and feminine undertones is present in all of his creations. Granted, I’m not a fan of the price of his lipsticks (they’re good, not $48 good), but there is no denying the sheer genius behind his brush collection. The Tom Ford Cheek Brush($78 US) is a welcomed addition to my little Tom Ford Brush Armada.

The Pros:

I am a great believer in spending money on items that perform the best and/or last a lifetime. My motto is simple: If I cannot purchase something at the present moment, I will conserve until I am able to acquire the object of my affection, I will not settle. Tom Ford Cheek brush is one of the best blush brushes I have come across. This stunner is soft, dense, and effortlessly applies even the most inferior powders beautifully. My Tom Ford Cheek Brush transformed my Sunday Reily blush in Blushing from subpar to amazing!

L-R Comparison: Tom Ford Cheek Brush and Tom Ford Bronzer brush.

On occasion, I have used the Cheek Brush for my bronzer application. Seeing as how the head is smaller on the Cheek brush, it is able to get right into the hollows of the cheeks more accurately than the Tom Ford Bronzer Brush. The resulting bronze hue melds beautifully into the skin. I suspect, the type of hair used (goat presumably), the cut, shape, size and density contributes to its outstanding performance. Dare I say, if you hesitate to purchase the Tom Ford Bronzer brush, go for the Cheek Brush instead. Comparatively, the Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush is very good, but not as densely packed as the TF brushes. Shedding and smell were issues with the Bobbi Brown bronzer brush before I used my Peg board (shown here), however it is good for giving an overall bronze look.

The TF Brush handle was designed with the highest image of elegance in mind. The perfectly weighed handle is lacquered brown with a sight metallic sheen, the words Tom Ford are engraved on one side and the number 06 on the other. The writing on all Tom Ford brushes will not fade, rub off or need clear nail polish to preserve the lettering (looking at you MAC). Unlike the bronzer brush, the Cheek Brush had minimal shedding. Tom Ford brushes are engraved with Japan on each brush, an indiction of their origin.

The Cons:

The prices on all of his face brushes have succumbed to a price increase. I purchased my lovely for $75 US four months ago and presently it is sold for $78 US. Tom Ford Bronzer brush has jumped from $110 to $115. I suppose the increase falls in line with all the luxury houses in the beauty industry. Most high-end beauty houses will inflate their items by increments of a dollar a year. Tommy has to do it more profoundly than everyone else. Bad Boy!

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you Tom Ford Cheek Brush is an investment that you will not regret and use on a regular basis. Do you absolutely need this item in your life? There are many things we do not need, but simply find pleasure in possessing. It is not for me or anyone else to say how someone should or should not spend their money. That is between you and your accountant 🙂 However, if your finances weigh in your favor and you want to treat yourself to a luxury “makeup item”, go for the multi-tasking Tom Ford Cheek Brush. Why should you? May I suggest the L’Oreal slogan,

This week has been fun and exciting. Here in the Americas, we celebrated our nation’s independence. My personal highlight was spending time with family we do not get to see often. Did I wear makeup on a hot, muggy, and humid Fourth of July? Yup…You Betcha. Did my makeup look flawless at the end of the day? Not even this makeup maven could battle the forces of sweaty pores at their optimum levels. This Makeup of the Week fifth edition, is a tribute to the war paint that was strategically applied in the morning and shamelessly vanquished in the evening.

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you to always look your best even when the circumstances are stacked against you. As Coco Chanel once said,

Elegance is refusal.

I refuse to let meteorological conditions, exhaustion, children or animal ever stop me from looking and feeling my best. Refusal to accept anything but the best for yourself is always the order of the day; a little “makeup” for your soul. Be well and stay safe.

This week has been very long, hot and tiring; not the time to delve into the creative, rather reliance on the predictable was the rule du jour. Therefore, I have literally been wearing the same look everyday this week *gasp*. However, sparkle was summoned to awaken the spirit. I hope you find this Makeup of the Week fourth edition helpful and inspiring!

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?

Makeup would tell you to relax and enjoy the warmer, stress-free months of summer and not worry so much about makeup. Of course, when you have a treasure trove of goodies at your disposal, that could be difficult. Do I want to go the simple route? YES…I wake up every morning and chant, “I will not wear makeup today, I will not wear makeup today….” However, something comes over me and the self-imposed command is quickly obliterated….”HELP, I NEED HELP!!!!” Nah…I need a larger vanity. Be well, cool and stay safe.

Any great photographer knows the value of good lighting. It is essential when you want to capture a subject’s true radiance. Imagine walking around all day without any worries of shadowing, dim lighting and mistakenly being taken for a distant relative of the Crypt Keeper. Imagine looking spectacular every minute of everyday!! We all want it, we all need, but how do we get it? Will Virgins be sacrificed, do I give up my first-born? For the love of all that is good and pure M, tell us? Calm down and breath…I’ll tell you!

The Pros:

Introducing Hourglass Cosmetics Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder ($45 US/10g). According to Hourglass, these magical creations promise to “capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on the skin, brighten the appearance, and conceal skin imperfections, pores and wrinkles.” Hourglass uses what they call “photo-luminescent technology” to give the skin its most flattering light. The marketing concept behind this campaign is truly genius! The description alone should motivate you to get out of your PJ’s, hop in your car, drive to the nearest Sephora, and tackle defenseless old ladies should they dare stand in your way…all for the sake of looking exquisite!!! These powders are meant to be finishing powders; they are applied to the face AFTER the foundation, blush, bronzer. They are intended to set your makeup to Photoshop perfection! Interested?

Hourglass Ambient Powder in Diffused Light all over as a finishing/setting powder.

They come in six colors: Ethereal Light (for the very fair), Diffused Light (for those with light olive or yellow skin tone), Dim Light (for light to medium skin tones), Mood Light (this is light pink…go see in person) , Luminous Light (could be a highlighter.. has shimmer), and Radiant Light (tan-colored powder.. has shimmer). I am currently using Diffused Light. My skin is very dry and rarely do I set my makeup, but I’m taken aback by how much I am enjoying this product. It does not translate to a chalky, white mess on the skin. On the contrary, there is a noticeable brightness to my complexion. Diffused is very finely milled and applies beautifully on the skin. I use my Tom Ford blush brush to lightly dust Diffused on my face. Hourglass makes an accompanying brush ($35 US) which is nice but not necessary. Any large powder brush will suffice. So why isn’t everyone and their mothers running to get these treasures?…..

The Cons:

Are my wrinkles softened in appearance? No. Are my imperfections blurred? No. Are my pores concealed? No. Let’s keep it real ladies, what product can do all of these things? Does this powder diffuse the over all sallowness we sometimes experience? Yes it does. Beware my beauties, the colors are very deceiving; you should try before you buy. I hastily purchased and tested three of the colors (Dim, Luminous, Radiant) before I settled on Diffused. Thank the Makeup Gods for Sephora’s return policy. Hourglass is sold at Barney’s New York, Sephora, and on Hourglass.com. At the time of this post, all colors, with the exception of Radiant Light, are sold out on Sephora.com. However, I have seen them fully stocked at my Sephora location.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light ingredient list.

THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would itsay?

It would tell you that these powders “ARE SO CHOICE”. If you do not know that expression, you are not deemed worthy to have been a teen from the eighties! Or if you are younger, two words, Ferris Bueller…enough said! The one caveat to this product, is trying to find the right shade. Bottom line: Will Hourglass Cosmetics Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder magically turn my weedy backyard into lush green vegetation? Will I be so ethereal, unicorns will flock to me in my daisy filled yard? Will I wear a white flowing dress? NO, NO, and heck NO….I love makeup, I’m not delusional!!! Simply put, these are very nice setting powders designed to brighten and awaken a sallow complexion. So take a cue from Ferris….”Shake it up baby, scream and shout”……I AM FABULOUS!!! VIVA the 80’s baby….Be well and stay safe!!!

-M-

OHHH YEAHHHH!!!

April 23, 2013

My Life Motto: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Cash Back Every Time You Shop!

Quote of the Day:

As a well-day spent brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.